Electric switch



June 1934- J. G. PETERSON 1 6 ELECTRIC SWITCH Original" Filed July 29, '1931 Illlllllllll application-Serial No. 329,570, filed. December- Patented June 5, 1934 anaemic swrron Johann'G. Peterson, West Harttord', Conn.

91st, 1928, now Patent 1,894,225, having improved supplementary or additional snapactu- 1 ating means 'for the contact which are tensioned upon movement of the actuating lever to tension the other snap switch mechanism,v and .which automatically operate when the latter mechanism is operated, irrespective of the rate of movement of the actuating jlever. These andother objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing,'-I have shown for thepurposes or illustration, one embodiment which. my invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,- 1 Figure l'is a side elevation of a switch unit equipped with my improvement; 7

Fig.2 is a plan view of 'the same with one of the insulating plates removed to expose the switch mechanism; j

'Fig. 3 is, a similar view, but with the other plate removed; '1 w Fig. 4 is a detail enlarged sectional view of the movable 'elements of the switch mechanism, the same being shownuin section' on line 4-4 of Fig. 2';

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view 01 the movable elements or the switch, withthe. actuating lever withdrawn; 1 a 1 a Fig. 6 is an end view of the-structure shown inFig.5 a

Fig. 7 .is agtdetail plan. view-o1 the actuating lever, and i .Fig. 8 is a detail plan view 01' one members co-operating therewith. I v

In thisillustrative construction, I have shown a switch co! the general type. described and of the spring claimed in my co pen ding application Serial No.-

529,510, filed April 11th, 1931, now- Patent 1,894,002, and provided with an additional spring mechanism of the 'general'type described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 329,570,1iled December 31st;-1928, now Patent 1,894,225, but herein of an improved constructionhereinafter' described.

Inasmuch as the switch unit is substantially of the construction described in my application Serial No. 529,510, nowPaten't 1,894,002, it seems unnecessary to describe the same in detail herein.- However, it will be noted that it comprises a plurality of superimposed spaced insu- '32 Claims. (01. 200-11) also be noted that "form. -As shown,

substantially lating plates iand z connecting and spacing means 3 therebetween, and having terminal and through-connections4 on the outer faces of the plates, while contacts 5. are carried on the inner faces of'the plates and engaged by swinging resilient contacts -6 pivoted at ion a suitable stationary pivot pin or stud carried by the plates.

- Also,- itwillsbe notedthat swinging resiliently mounted came 8 arelikewise movable about the pivot '1 and ride over a series of aligned stationary cams 9 when the members d f-and 8 are moved about their .pivot by an actuating lever 10'likewise pivoted the member-s6 and 8 are preferably integrally 01f resilient, oppositely disposed extensions there- 8; are of hollow. centered, generally V-shaped wo portions ll'are suitably attached. as byrivets 12"on opposite sides of a body member 13. The latter, in turn, provided with a lateral opening 14 in one side adapted toreceive the inner end 01 the actuating lever 10, while the pivot pin! through this :opening, bearing iorming apertures 15 in the portions 11, and aperture 18 in the inner end of theleverlO. Thus itgwill-be noted that, as described in applicationgSerial No. 529,510, when swinging in either direction, the 'resilientlyxmounted cams-8 willride over on thepivot 7. it will united to an intermediate portion 11 (Figs. fiiand 6) and are in the form also passes down;

the 'stationary'cams ,9 in such'manner jas-to impart afseriesiof snap actions to the; contacts ties the cams 8 successively pass over the peaks or the'cams9 in either, direction."

In myimproved construction, it will be {noted that theopenin'g 1411s provided'with inclined side walls 17 sloping5away1rom" the opposite sides of the-inner endzof the member 10 in such manner as to permit a limited swinging move ment or the latter member-raboutdts-pivot 7 in each direction. Furthen'it will be notedthat the rivets 12- also actPto holdin place: on opposite sides of-the'portions 11 ,"-a plurality o1 membersl8 each 01' which is herein cut out at '19to extend to one side 01 the pivot aperture, and is further provided with a resilient extension 20 in alignment with thepivot apertureand the cams 8, while being freely movable vertically relativeto the latter in the hollow portion vof the extension carrying the cam- 8. Herein it will also be noted that each of these extensions 20 is provided with a projection 21 extending toward the lever: 10 andpreferably of conical form and adapted normally to seat in opposite conical communicating recesses 22- in the latter disposed between the pivot 01. the lever, 10 and the free end 01 the same, herein more closely adjacent the pivot.

In the operation'ot myimproved construction,

it will be evident that when the lever is moved in either direction about its pivot '1, it will be free to move laterally within the limit established by one sloping side wall 17 of the aperture 14 in the member 13, and that this movement will cause the projections 21 to ride up out of the conical recesses 22 in the lever 10, the extensions 20 then moving apart in the openings between the cams 8 and the pivot 7. When, however, the lever 10 engages a side wall of the opening 14, the whole swinging mechanism, including the members 6, 8, and 13, will be moved bodily laterally in such manner as to move the resiliently mounted cams 8 up the peaks of the adjacent stationary cams 9. When they have passed the peaks of these cams, the cams 8, being released, will automatically move downward and laterally on the opposite slopes of the cams 9, and thereby swing the contact members 6 laterally at the same time that the resiliently mounted projections 21 tend to return strongly to their normal or supplementary indexing positions in the recesses 22 in the lever 10, all in such manner as to impart an impetus to the swinging contacts which it is impossible to retard by retarding the rate of movement of the lever 10.

As a result of my improved construction, it will be observed that, while the resiliently mounted cams 8 will function relative 'to the stationary cams 9 by movements toward and from the lever 10 on opposite sides or the same, the supplementary spring portions 20 herein will operate reversely, moving out of and into their conical sockets or recesses 22 in the actuating lever 10 in such manner as to provide a very eflective supplementary spring or snap actuating mechanism which is automatic in its operation and wholly beyond the control of the operator. Further, it will be noted that not only is the supplementary mechanism exceedingly simple, but that all necessity for providing a spring of elongated form is eliminated, the extensions 20 being short and readily formed. It will also be observed that these springs may be readily attached to the swinging unit by the same rivets which hold the contacts and other cams thereto. Further, the construction is, also very compact, the supplementary springs being movable in the space between the resiliently mounted cams 8 and their pivot '7. The construction is also inexpensive and readily adapted to be used in connection with the structures 01' both of my applications mentioned above; These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the same is shown for purposes of illustration only, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:--

1. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and snap actuating mechanism for the movable contact having a plurality oi resiliently mounted cams successively tensioned upon each actuating movement of said actuating member.

2. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and actuating mechanism for the movable contact having on the same side of said member a plurality of resiliently mounted cams and means ior tensioning and releasing the same to actuate said contact upon each actuating movement or said actuating member.

3. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and actuating mechanism for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams and means for successively tensioning and simultaneously releasing said cams to actuate said contact upon each actuating movement of said actuating member.

4. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and snap actuating mechanisms for the movable contact having a plurality of separately resiliently mounted cams tensioned by said actuating member, one of said mechanisms having stationary co-operating cam actuating means andthe other having movable co-operating cam actuating means.

5. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams tensioned by said actuating member, one of said mechanisms having stationary co-operating cam actuating means and the other having movable co-operating cam actuating means carried by said actuating member.

6. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams successively tensioned upon movement of said actuating member and movable in opposite directions relative to the latter during tensioning.

7. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams successively tensioned upon movement of said actuating member and movable in opposite directions relative to the latter during tensioning and both being simultaneously releasable.

8. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams tensioned upon movement of said actuating member and movable in opposite directions relative to the latter and one within the other during tensioning.

9. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and snap actuating mechanism for the movable contact having on the same side of said member a plurality of resiliently mounted cams operatively connected thereto and means for moving said cams in opposite directions relative to said actuating member upon movement .of the latter.

10. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and snap actuating mechanism for the movable contact having on the same side of said member a plurality of resiliently mounted cams operatively connected thereto and means for moving one of said cams toward and another away from said actuating member upon movement of the latter.

. 11. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and snap actuating mechanism for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams operatively connected thereto and means ior moving said tacts, an actuating member, and snap actuating mechanism for the movable contact having a plurality of resiliently mounted cams operatively connected thereto and means for moving said cams in opposite directions relative to said actuating member upon movement of the latter, including a peaked cam and a sloping cam co-operating with different resiliently mounted cams, said peaked cam being stationary and said sloping cam being on said actuating member.

13. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for said movable contact having a plurality of swinging resiliently mounted cams on said contact and one having stationary co-operating cam actuating means and the other having swinging co-operating cam actuating means. i

14. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for said movable contact having a plurality of swinging resiliently mounted cams on said contact and one having stationary co-operating cam actuating means and the other having swinging co-operating cam actuating means comprising an aperture in said actuating member.

15. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, an actuating member, and co-operating snap actuating mechanisms for said movable contact having a plurality of swinging resiliently mounted cams, one having stationary cooperating cam actuating means and the other having swinging co-operating cam actuating mean and both of said means having their resiliently mounted cams movable with the movable contact.

16. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, a swinging resiliently mounted cam member operatively connected to the movable contact, a series of stationary actuating cams engageable by said cam member, a swinging actuating member operatively connected to swing said resiliently mounted cam member and also carrying cam means, and a second resiliently mounted cam operatively connected to actuate said movable contact and co-operating with said last'mentioned cam means.

1'7. In a switch, stationary and movable contacts, a swinging resiliently mounted cam member operatively connected to the movable contact, a series of stationary actuating cams engageable by said cam member, a swinging actuating member operatively connected to swing said resiliently mounted cam member and also carrying cam means, and a second resiliently mounted cam operatively connected to actuate said movable contact and co-operating with said last mentioned cam means, said cam means and second resiliently mounted cam being disposed between the pivot of said actuating member and said first mentioned cam member and its stationary actuating cams.

18. In a switch, stationary and movable con tacts, a swinging resiliently mounted cam member operatively connected to the movable con tact, a series of stationary actuating cams engageable by said cam member, a swinging actuate said movable contact and co-operating actuating member operatively connected to swing said resiliently mounted cam member and also carrying cam means, and a second resiliently mounted cam operatively connected to with said last mentioned cam means,-. said cam means and second resiliently mounted cambeing disposed between the pivot of said actuating member and said first mentioned cam member and its stationary actuating cams and said resiliently mounted cams being movable reversely during tensioning.

19. A switch actuating member comprising a body member carrying a contact and a resiliently mounted cam, an actuating member having a limited movement relative to said body, and co-opcrating cam means on said actuating member and body.

20. A switch actuating member comprising a body member carrying a contact and a resiliently mounted cam, an actuating member having a limited movement relative to said body. and oo-operatin'g cam means on said actuating member and body comprising a resiliently mounted cam carried by one of the same and a po co-operating socket carried-by the other.

21. A switch actuating member comprising a body member carrying a contact and a resiliently mounted cam, an actuating member having a limited movement relative to said body, and co-operating cam means on said actuating member and body comprising a resiliently mounted cam carried by one of the same and a co-operating socket carried by the other, said resiliently mounted cam being carried by said body and said socket being formed in said actuating member.

22. A switch actuating member comprising a body'member carrying a contact and a resiliently mounted cam, an actuating member having a limited movement relative to said body, and co-operating cam means on said actuating member and body, said resiliently mounted cam having provision for receiving the movable element of said co-operating cam means.

23. A switch actuating member comprising a body carrying a contact and a resiliently mounted cam projecting in opposite directions from said body, an actuating member carrying cam means and pivoted on a common axis with said body and movable relative thereto, and cam means carried by said body and co-operating with said cam means on the actuating member.

24. A switch actuating member comprising a body carrying a contact and a resiliently mounted cam projecting in opposite directions from said body, an actuating member carrying cam means and pivoted on a common axis with said body and movable relative thereto, and resiliently mounted cam means on said body and tensioned by said cam means on said actuating member as the latter moves about its pivot.

25. In a switch, stationary and movable con-- tact means, an actuating member movable rela- 11g tive to said movable contact means, combined actuating and indexing means for said movable contact means actuating the same with a snap action upon each actuation of said member, and (yo-operating combined actuating and indexing means comprising resiliently connected engaging cam means, one on said actuating member and movable relative to said first mentioned actuating and indexing means and relative to said movable contact means, and the other on said 13;)

movable contact means and movable therewith and relative to said cam means on said actuating member.

26. In a switch, stationary and movable contact means, an actuating member movable relative to said movable contact means, combined actuating and indexing means for said movable contact means actuating the same with a snap action upon each actuation of said member, and co-operating combined actuating and indexing means comprising resiliently connected engag ing cam means, one on said actuating member and movable relative to said first mentioned actuating and indexing means and relative to said movable contact means, and the other on said movable contact means and movable therewith and relative to said cam means on said actuating member, said'cam means on said actuating member comprising oppositely inclined cams, and said cam means movable with said movable contact means comprising a resiliently connected cam successively movable up and down one of said inclined cams upon each operation of said actuating member and acting on different cams when said actuating member is moved in opposite directions.

27. In a switch, stationary and movable contact means, an actuating member movable relacontact means actuating the same with a snap tive to said movable contact means, combined actuating and indexing means for said movable contact means actuating the same with a snap action upon each actuation of said member having cooperating stationary peaked cams and movable resiliently mounted cams movable over the same, and co-operating combined actuating and indexing means comprising resiliently connected engaging cam means, one on said actuating member and movable relative to said first mentioned actuating and indexing means and relative to said movable contact means, and the other on said movable contact means and movable therewith and relative to said cam means on said actuating member.

28. In a switch, stationary and movable contact means, an actuating member movable relative to said movable contact means, combined actuating and indexing means for said movable action upon each actuation of said member having co-operfating stationary peaked cams and movable resiliently mounted cams movable over the same, and co-operating combined actuating and indexing means comprising resiliently connected engaging cam means, one on said actuating member and movable relative to said first mentioned actuating and indexing meara; and relative to said movable contact means, and the other on said movable contact means and movable therewith and relative to said cam means on said actuating member; said cam means on said actuating member comprising oppositely inclined cams, and said cam I means movable with said movable contact means comprising a resiliently connected cam successively movable up and down one of said inclined cams upon each operation of said actuating member and acting on different cams when said actuating member is moved in opposite directions.

29. In an electric switch, swinging and stationary contact means, a pivoted actuating member swinging relative to said swinging contact means, indexing means comprising swinging cam means on said actuating member and a movable indexing member for said swinging contact means swinging therewith and having cooperating cam means engaging said swinging cam means and movable along said means to release said movable contact means upon swinging of said actuating member, means for swinging said movable contact means with a snap action following release thereof, and means tensioned during movement of said moveable indexing member and automatically operable upon swinging of said movable contact means to return said movable indexing member to normal indexing position.

30. In an electric switch, swinging and stationary contact means, a pivoted actuating member swinging relative to said swinging contact means, a stationary stud about which both said movable contact means and actuating member are separately movable, indexing means comprising swinging cam means on said actuating member and a movable indexing member for said swinging contact means swinging therewith and having co-operating cam means engaging said swinging cam means and movable along said means to release said movable contact means upon swinging of said actuating member, means for swinging said movable contact means with a snap action following release thereof, and means tensioned during movement of said movable indexing member and automatically operable 41901! swinging of said movable contact means to return said movable indexing member to normal indexing position.

31. In an electric switch, swinging and stationary contact means, a pivoted actuating member swinging relative to said swinging contact means and movable progressively in the same direction from off position into a plurality of on positions, indexing means comprising swinging cam means on said, actuating member and a movable indexing member for said swinging contact means swinging therewith and having co-operating 'am' means engaging said swinging cam means and movable along said means to release said movable contact means upon swinging of said actuating member, means for swinging said movable contact means with a snap action following' release thereof, and means tensioned during movement of said movable indexing member and automatically operable upon swinging of said movable contact means to return said movable indexing member to normal indexing position. 32. In an electric switch, swinging and stationarycontact means, a pivoted actuating member swinging relative to said swinging contact means and movable progressively in the same direction from off position into a plurality of on positions, a stationary stud about which both said movable contact means and actuating member are separably movable, indexing means comprising swinging cam means on said actuating member and a movable indexing member for said swinging contact means swinging therewith and having co-operating cam means engaging said swinging cam means and movable along said means to release said movable contact means upon swinging of said actuating member,-means for swinging said movable contact means with a snap action following release thereof, and means tensioned during movement of said movable indexing member and automatically operable upon swinging of said movable contact means to return said movable indexing member to normal indexing position.

J OHANN G. PETERSON. 

